Madras HC says Tamil anthem can precede Vande Mataram at official functions

The Madras High Court has clarified that a Union home ministry notification requiring 'Vande Mataram' to be sung first at government functions does not prohibit the Tamil Thai Vazhthu from being sung before it. The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Ananya Radhakrishnan seeking to quash the Centre's circular. The Centre told the court that its notification only requires 'Vande Mataram' to be sung first, followed by the National Anthem, and does not mention the state song. The court's full order in the matter has not been released yet.